Hey Chris, welcome!

I think the plan is that a number of Abarth service centres will open around the country, so oil changes shouldn't be a problem.

As far as I know, the standard Abarth wheels will still fit after the Esseesse kit has been fitted, so if that's what you'd prefer, I can't see a problem with it.  ChunkyMonkey, our resident tech, will be able to confirm.

I suspect that the Top Gear piece was filmed some time ago.  But, even bearing that in mind, we still don't have confirmed prices for either the standard car or the kit.

Stick around! 

If you had the 16" wheels and then upgraded to the esseesse kit then maybe you could have a problem with insurance if you stuck the 16" wheels back on.

But surely insurance wouldn't be affected if you had some of the optional 17" wheels in the first place, then upgraded to the esseesse kit. The wheels and tyres are the same size for the optional 17" wheels and the 17" wheels that you get with the esseesse kit on the 500. The weight of the wheels is probably different and the tyres might be different?? But that wouldn't effect insurance, as people fit any make of tyre that they want onto their cars.

I've thought about a 500 Abarth for the wife and hate the 16" alloys, so I'd definetly spec it with the 17's. I'd also be tempted by the esseesse kit and would like to use both sets of alloys still once the kit is fitted. That wouldn't still effect insurance would it?

I don't agree with John at all.

You can do what you like with your car, as long as you tell the insurance company what it is.

Welcome Chris, another Lupo GTI owner here, are you on Club Lupo? (Just incase I already know you!) What colour is yours?

AndyW: yeah i am under the name jonnycv my Lupo is black - I don't use the forums there now as it is all youngsters posting!

I remember you, yeah, I don't post there all that much either, just idiot central at times now.

When I asked my insurance company about mods to my Barchetta they said that anything non-standard was classed as a mod. Even one of Kwik-Fit's finest.

On that basis, how many cars are actually potentially uninsured?

They may not bump your insurance up, but you do need to tell them if you do any mods. Larger wheels would probably attract a higher premium

Yes exactly. Tell your insurance companies everything. Any excuse for them not to pay up and they will take it! Even swopping wheels. If they arent standard they might be seen as more expensive/ attractive so more likely to be stolen or your car vanalised. I doubt they would care if you changed wheels for the same size. But always check. Going bigger might put it up but not my much.